title: Sexual dysfunction in women with epilepsy: role of antiepileptic drugs and psychotropic medications.
abstract: Sexual dysfunction is a frequently encountered comorbid disorder in patients with neurological and psychiatric disorders. Importantly, sexual dysfunction can also occur as a treatment emergent adverse effect of a number of commonly used psychotropic and antiepileptic medications, and can include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, disordered arousal, delayed orgasm, and anorgasmia. These effects can occur in both men and women, and can be seen across age groups. Understanding the neurobiology of normal sexual response, as well as the pharmacologic mechanisms of these commonly used medications can enable the clinician to predict how medication use may impact different phases of sexual response. Discussion of the current treatment strategies for female sexual dysfunction is also elucidated in this chapter.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Outcomes Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy, Loma Linda, California 92350, USA.
authors.forename: Mary A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gutierrez
authors.forename: Romila
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mushtaq
authors.forename: Glen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stimmel
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs